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Baby Bedtime Strategies

What's the best way to help your baby drift off to dreamland? A calming, sleep-inducing bedtime routine. So soon? You bet. Once your little one has eased into some sort of schedule (he has relatively predictable patterns of eating and sleeping, a milestone usually reached at about six to eight weeks), it's time to begin what's sure to become a highlight of each day for both of you. Not sure where to start and what to include? Read on for strategies and suggestions on infant and newborn sleep (and remember, they're only suggestions — as with all things baby, you'll have to figure out what works best for you). The most important ingredient of a soothing bedtime routine? Consistency. Repeating the same steps in the same order is comforting for your tiny dreamer. Even babies like knowing what to expect!

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Wind Down

So much to see, touch, and mouth, and never enough time to do it! No wonder your little perpetual-motion machine may be reluctant to put the brakes on at bedtime. To get your busy baby in the mood to snooze, start winding things down an hour or so before bedtime. This isn't the time to rev up his engine. Hold off on noisy, stimulating toys and avoid tickle-fests (no matter how cute his squeals of delight). Do provide plenty of one-on-one attention and stick to quieter activities like cuddling, exploring fingers and toes, and playing with blocks.

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Take a Bath

A dunk in the tub clearly keeps your little one clean — especially important if he's crawling or likes to wear his food. But there's another reason why you'll want to make bathing part of your baby bedtime routine. Warm water (even if you're giving a sponge wash in place of a daily bath) is naturally relaxing and soothing. Just make sure the room is toasty, so your tiny bathing beauty won't feel chilled. Then let him splash away to his heart's content. By the time he's ready to come out, he'll be a mellow fellow.

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Massage Him

After a warm bath, there's nothing like a massage to further relax your squeaky clean tot. A gentle rubdown feels good (for both baby and parent!). But studies also suggest that a massage before bed increases melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone) in infants. Ready to apply some hands-on magic? Pick a spot that's comfy and warm, and keep in mind that stroking away from the heart (from thigh to ankle, for example) is especially soothing. This is also a good opportunity to moisturize your baby's skin (try calming lavender and chamomile-scented lotions), even if you're just doing a mini massage. The scent will de-stress you too (hasn't it been a long day?).

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Think Ambience

To start, dim the lights and consider background noise. Some babies nod off faster to white noise like the hum of a fan — for others, it's the sound of soft music. And don't forget room temperature. Feel the back of your baby's neck to check if it's right. If baby is sweaty, then it's too hot, so cool down the room or remove a layer of clothing. If the back of the neck feels chilled, turn up the thermostat or add a layer of clothing. To avoid overheating, which can increase SIDS risk, dress your baby appropriately for the environment; at the most, only dress baby in one layer more than an adult would wear at the same temp and don’t cover the face or head.

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Fill Him Up

Craving more z's yourself? Until they're about four months, most infants need to wake up (and wake you up) during the night to eat. If your baby is older and still waking up for a middle-of-the-night nibble, increase the size of his bedtime feeding. As long as he's getting enough calories during the day, this may help him sleep through the night without a snack. Or try this: Just before you turn in, wake your baby for a mini feeding. Topping off your tot's tank can help him sleep more soundly and buy you an hour or two more shut-eye. But if waking him up seems to start a cycle of more frequent waking during the night, shut off the tap.

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Share a Story or Song

Your baby's been bathed, fed, diapered, and slipped into pj's — now what? It's time to settle down with a picture book (the simpler and sturdier the better). Your budding bookworm may not understand the words, but he'll enjoy listening to your voice and looking at the pictures as part of his bedtime routine. Remember to keep your voice soft and soothing (instead of excited and lively, like you would during the day). Snuggling over a book is a great way to bond, nurture a love of reading, and begin what is sure to become a treasured nighttime tradition. If your wiggle worm has a hard time sitting still, don't worry. You can always cuddle while singing quiet songs and lullabies.

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Say Your Good-byes

Time for bed? First it's time for another part of the bedtime routine your baby will come to love. Take a good-night tour of your little one's room together, saying and waving good-bye to stuffed animals and favorite toys. Then give one last hug and kiss, and tuck your little sleepyhead into his crib. The goal, whenever possible, is to put your baby down while he's drowsy but still awake. This will teach him a valuable life skill: how to fall asleep on his own. Finally, in a light and loving tone of voice, say your good-byes. Keep it short and sweet (like "Night-night, Sweetie; I'll see you in the morning") and make your exit (don't linger). Be sure to say the same thing every night, and soon your parting words will become a reassuring signal that your baby's busy day has come to a cozy end.

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